Introduction to RF Electronics (5cr)

Objectives

After completing the course, the studentcan explain functioning of a simple radio transmitter, i.e., role of the functional blocks of the radio transmitter and how each component value has been chosen.is aware of limitations of conventional circuit analysis and understands the needs for high-frequency component models.can apply basic linear and high-frequency, small-signal component models in analysis of electronic circuits and is able to use related mathematical tools, including phasor analysis.can simulate simple electronic circuits, construct circuits on breadboard and test the basic properties using basic RF measurement devices.can explain how electromagnetic waves - electrical length and wavelength should be taken into account in the analysis and design of RF circuitsis able explain basic antenna properties and how electromagnetic wave phenomena is inherent in design and analysis of electronic devices at radio frequencies.is aware of typical design principles and terminology used in RF electronics.

Content

Functional blocks and functioning of a simple radio transmitter.Use of linear circuit theory and complex number phasors and related complex number arithmetic to analyze RF-circuits.Impedance, resonance, transfer function, feedback, criteria of oscillation.Passive and active components as building blocks of RF communications circuits: transistor amplifier, oscillator, filter, oscillator, modulator, and antennaTypical RF design principles and terminology used in RF electronics.Basics of electromagnetic waves, properties of transmission lines and elementary antennas.Construction and testing of basic RF circuits and antennas.Small signal modeling, nonidealities and basic high frequency component models (passive basic components, PN-diode, NPN-transistor, Shockley-equation, Ebers-Moll transistor model).

Prerequisites

Student must have AC Circuits and Basic Electronics or similar course(s) completed before taking this course.

Further information

This course is an introduction to radio frequency design. It shows how the most fundamental building blocks of RF electronics can easily be understood, constructed, and tested in practice. We also review mathematical tools needed therein.This course is composed of in-class and out-of-class tasks that provide elementary understanding that is the basis of all RF design. In most tasks students work in small teams and build basic RF circuits on solderless breadboard and test their operation. Students get on loan a 'mini-lab' that comprises (1) electronic components; namely transistors, resistors, capacitors, and inductors; (2) a solderless breadboard; and (3) a myDAQ that is a small-size USB-device that operates, for instance, as an oscilloscope, signal generator, and digital multimeter. In addition, NI Virtual Bench device will be used in some tasks. With this setting the students can rehearse with the ideas and concepts that are applied in construction of a simple but fully functional radio transmitter.Partial completions of the course must be carried out during the same implementation round.